Tell me how to keep my back from hurting on flights | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Tell me how to keep my back from hurting on flights

I'm with storrs roars. I fly long distance a lot (currently in Moldova). Stretch as much as possible before the flight, get up and stand whenever possible, and muscle relaxants to loosen up or Ambien to sleep through the flight. Also, for me, no booze while fly
 
8893 said:
I strained my calf muscle so I’ve been using it daily while I rehab and it’s done the job fine for my purposes.
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Wuss. Get in the game!

 
husky429 said:
Tylenol PM was the only thing that made my 9 hour flight last summer bearable. I had forgotten about it. Adding that to my list.
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Have you tried Aleve? I think it might help backs better than Tylenol. Again, it's all about what works for you.
 
Waquoit said:
Have you tried Aleve? I think it might help backs better than Tylenol. Again, it's all about works for you.
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I usually just use the tylenol PM because it puts me to sleep. I wonder if some benadryl and an aleve would do the trick?
 
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husky429 said:
Since we're on the topic of pillows and travel, I figured I'd shoot my shot and combine both. You people seem to have opinions on everything.

I have a 16-hour flight coming up in a little over a month. Going to South Africa/Zimbabwe/Botswana for a 5 weeks before my new job starts. I'll be doing some classwork for summer courses while I'm there, but it will mostly just be my delayed honeymoon.

I have flown internationally like 50x in my life and still haven't figured it out. Flights more than 5 hours or so start to KILL my back. It is miserable, and I dread it for weeks in advance of the trip. I've sustained some injuries grappling over the years and have really tight hips--I'm assuming that's what is causing the problems. Mostly my lower and middle back. I've resorted to eating Advil like M&Ms in the past. Big thing for me is drinking way more water than I think I need, and getting up to stretch/move every hour if I can. That's about all I know to do.

I can't afford to fly anything more than coach, so paying more for a better seat isn't an option.

Any advice? Recommended lumbar or neck pillows? Chemical solutions? Something to help me sleep? Idk I've got nothing... but I'm already dreading this flight!
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My only advice is to stretch the hell our of everything before you get on the plane, and drink lots of water. Flying is dehydrating, and dehydrated muscles get stiff. I don't think there is another solution really.

I like the Pidgeon stretch. Also these.
 
Waquoit said:
They do have a Aleve PM model as well.
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Definitely gonna try that. I generally avoid painkillers, but always seem to default to ibuprofen.

Side note for the kids: don't do combat sports if you want to have a functioning spine after 35. It isn't worth it.
 
Shout out to GSH "Say what's the word?"
 
Don't know if you're inclined to check out or not.. But having just gotten back from a trip to Colo. and with the relatively new status of CT re: CBD products-oils/lotions/tablets.. Am reminded of the pain relief value of those products. Have many friends who I would consider to be "straight" who enthusiastically use those products for their medical well-being-sleep aids-pain relief.

Funny story-But true. My son had a Lab who tore his ACL playing Frisbee with the kids at a young age. Never had it fixed because of the cost of repair job (his choice). So Buzzy had a limp and was a bit challenged with mobility as a result. We visit them in Denver a few years ago and Buzzy is bouncing around like a young pup.. Happy and playful.. I ask my son . "What's up with Buzzy? Haven't seen him this happy and energetic since he was a pup." Answer: Put CBD oil in his dog food per recommendation of their vet. Who knew?
 
husky429 said:
Flexibility =/= strength. Strength in my hips and lower back is the problem... and yoga would probably help. I should do that 30 day Yoga with Adrienne thing on youtube.
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Yoga is good advice even though I don't do it. It sounds like you're an athlete. I'm a big proponent of weight training especially as you get older and it's most inportant for elderly people. You're young which is the best time to develop it to ward off future problems. I've had some nagging injuries (shoulder and knees) since Covid but the one thing that's never hurt me in my life is my back, it's the basis for everything and has always been the main focus of my workouts over the years. If you have a strong thick back, you'll have a healthy back.

Something as simple as posture is so important. So many people are put into bad posture just from sitting, the natural inclination for the body is to slump your shoulders forward when sitting, especially at a desk. Getting a stronger back will naturally pull you back and retract your scapula and you fall into a neutral spine position. My mom has sciatica and stenosis which is bringing her forward. I'm doing everything to get her to get back to the physical therapist for weight training and to always be thinking to pull herself back when she's standing and sitting because her body is telling her to go forward which makes everything worse.
 
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QDOG5 said:
Shout out to GSH "Say what's the word?"
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He actually played Storrs once in '77 IIRC. Sort of hybrid lecture/performance. In the Student Union no less. Sparsely attended if you can believe it. Glad I went, but couldn't convince anyone to go with. And yes, he played that, with a singalong.
 
Umami Zen said:
Don't know if you're inclined to check out or not.. But having just gotten back from a trip to Colo. and with the relatively new status of CT re: CBD products-oils/lotions/tablets.. Am reminded of the pain relief value of those products. Have many friends who I would consider to be "straight" who enthusiastically use those products for their medical well-being-sleep aids-pain relief.

Funny story-But true. My son had a Lab who tore his ACL playing Frisbee with the kids at a young age. Never had it fixed because of the cost of repair job (his choice). So Buzzy had a limp and was a bit challenged with mobility as a result. We visit them in Denver a few years ago and Buzzy is bouncing around like a young pup.. Happy and playful.. I ask my son . "What's up with Buzzy? Haven't seen him this happy and energetic since he was a pup." Answer: Put CBD oil in his dog food per recommendation of their vet. Who knew?
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Well-acquainted with CBD/THC. I use that instead of any OTC pain or anti-inflammatories on a day-to-day basis. Hesistant to try to sneak that onto a plane.
 
superjohn said:
Yoga is good advice even though I don't do it. It sounds like you're an athlete. I'm a big proponent of weight training especially as you get older and it's most inportant for elderly people. You're young which is the best time to develop it to ward off future problems. I've had some nagging injuries (shoulder and knees) since Covid but the one thing that's never hurt me in my life is my back, it's the basis for everything and has always been the main focus of my workouts over the years. If you have a strong thick back, you'll have a healthy back.

Something as simple as posture is so important. So many people are put into bad posture just from sitting, the natural inclination for the body is to slump your shoulders forward when sitting, especially at a desk. Getting a stronger back will naturally pull you back and retract your scapula and you fall into a neutral spine position. My mom has sciatica and stenosis which is bringing her forward. I'm doing everything to get her to get back to the physical therapist for weight training and to always be thinking to pull herself back when she's standing and sitting because her body is telling her to go forward which makes everything worse.
Expand ...

I wouldn't say I'm an athlete. More that if you're willing to be punched in the face, SOMEONE will let you do it for entertainment lol.

You're right though. I've been pretty lax with lifting since they closed foe covid. I need to get back in there
 
storrsroars said:
He actually played Storrs once in '77 IIRC. Sort of hybrid lecture/performance. In the Student Union no less. Sparsely attended if you can believe it. Glad I went, but couldn't convince anyone to go with. And yes, he played that, with a singalong.
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Unfortunately. I never got a chance to see him. That line is one of my favorites. I've never been to Jberg either. It's on the list. Btw, have you ever seen Searching for Sugar Man. Great movie about Rodriguez and his popularity in South Africa. @husky429 I hope you find relief. I think those yoga stretches will help. Enjoy your belated honeymoon and give us the deets when you get back.
 
I am 6'8 with proportionately long legs at that. I just barely fit into exit row/extended leg room seats. The only answer is to pick an aisle seat and get up and walk up and down the plane every hour that you're awake. It's not a perfect solution but it's the best strategy I've found.
 
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husky429 said:
Well-acquainted with CBD/THC. I use that instead of any OTC pain or anti-inflammatories on a day-to-day basis. Hesistant to try to sneak that onto a plane.
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C'mon! What's the worst that could happen?
 
A couple yoga poses that I do whenever my back is tight:

Rag doll: Bend over holding opposite elbows and then slowly sway back and forth

Cobra arms: Fold your arms so one elbow is on top of the other. I'm not flexible enough to do this, so resting the elbow on the foreman as close to the other elbow is good enough. Hold for about ten seconds. Repeat on other side.

Forgot what it's called: Reach one hand behind your back to touch the opposite shoulder blade and lean your head to the opposite side. Hold for about ten seconds. Repeat on other side.
 
husky429 said:
Well-acquainted with CBD/THC. I use that instead of any OTC pain or anti-inflammatories on a day-to-day basis. Hesistant to try to sneak that onto a plane.
Expand ...
Got it.. Sounds like a pretty important trip. You never know with International Flights/Customs. Wife and I take multiple vitamins/supplements on a daily basis--15 in AM/ 7 in PM-- When we travel (primarily domestically).. We package them in plastic bags and out of their plastic jars/containers for TSA and security to see.. Full disclosure.. Hiding nothing.. Never a problem.

Will leave it at that and hope you can put together a game plan that works for you. Safe travels.
 
storrsroars said:
Obviously on a plane there's no place to do stretches where you have to lie down, but trips to the head will let you do some of these. And you can start in advance of your trip. Alternatively, I'd ask your doc for an Rx of muscle relaxers.
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@husky429 storrsroars' suggestions, plus aisle seat enabling easily getting up to stretch. Plus, snag an extra pillow out of overhead compartment to rotate use for 1. lumbar support 2. alternated with sitting atop allowing slight bit more leg room.

In advance, check SeatGuru or SeatExpert sites to identify where you'll stretch. Also, check to see if your seat will have an electric outlet. If yes, buy/borrow a heating pad. If not, bring/use a few disposable heat pad gizmos.

Also in advance, adjust your sleep pattern a bit, try to force yourself to be tired, increase likelihood of sleeping more hours, and ease adjustment to JNB / SAST zone.

Generous of your grandfather-in-law. Bon voyage.
 
storrsroars said:
You're about the last person here I expected to not look it up.
www.airportdistancecalculator.com

New York to Johannesburg Flight Time, Distance, Route Map

Flight Time from New York to Johannesburg, Flight Distance Between New York, United States and Johannesburg, South Africa, Flight Duration, New York to Johannesburg Flight Route Map
www.airportdistancecalculator.com www.airportdistancecalculator.com
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@chindiesel With rare exception, pretty much all North American flights to RSA and southern Africa fly fairly directly. Exceptions: Seattle, Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton departing flights head NE to easterly across Canada to the maritime provinces before hooking SE-ly to final destination. Looks odd, but decreases total flight miles.
 
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You can combine Iburprofen and acetaminophen (Advil and Tylenol). I find two of each is world’s more effective than one or the other alone. If you want to sleep too, just use the PM version of either.
 
Honestly. People suggesting over medicating plus booze. Yes, I endorse that as well. But the man flow Yoga stuff has the best chance of leaving you functional when you arrive. The flight is just day 1. So, maybe both?
 
Do knee crunches, separate, sets of three. Also do series of arm stretches overhead. Repeat as needed during trip. Compile chest squeeze's, relax, do sets of three. All above can be done in your seat, especially if you have a vacant one next to you which often happens on long trips. Enjoy!
 
husky429 said:
Since we're on the topic of pillows and travel, I figured I'd shoot my shot and combine both. You people seem to have opinions on everything.

I have a 16-hour flight coming up in a little over a month. Going to South Africa/Zimbabwe/Botswana for a 5 weeks before my new job starts. I'll be doing some classwork for summer courses while I'm there, but it will mostly just be my delayed honeymoon.

I have flown internationally like 50x in my life and still haven't figured it out. Flights more than 5 hours or so start to KILL my back. It is miserable, and I dread it for weeks in advance of the trip. I've sustained some injuries grappling over the years and have really tight hips--I'm assuming that's what is causing the problems. Mostly my lower and middle back. I've resorted to eating Advil like M&Ms in the past. Big thing for me is drinking way more water than I think I need, and getting up to stretch/move every hour if I can. That's about all I know to do.

I can't afford to fly anything more than coach, so paying more for a better seat isn't an option.

Any advice? Recommended lumbar or neck pillows? Chemical solutions? Something to help me sleep? Idk I've got nothing... but I'm already dreading this flight!
Expand ...
High quality Fish Oil will likely eliminate the problem. Take on a daily basis and in most cases, back pain will be eliminated. Natural anti-inflammatory properties. Chief has been doing it 8 years and my back pain went away after a few weeks.
Moreover, no side affects.
 
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